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Plot:
Charlie Wilson was a bachelor congressman from Texas who had a habit of showing up in hot tubs with strippers and cocaine. His "Good Time Charlie" exterior, however, masked an extraordinary mind, a de...( read more 
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Recent Reviews
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MCT:August 25, 2008
Oh yeah the good old days, when Americans helped the Afghans defeat the Russians. What happened to the world anyway? Decent movie but a bit on the American side. You've been warned!
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MCT:August 24, 2008
Clever satire with excellent performances, the script by Aaron Sorkin is definately the highlight who has done tremendous work on shows like West Wing, Sports Night and the short lived Studio 60. Subtle humor and climatic drama make the film fly by in an instant.
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MCT:August 24, 2008It's good that the Americans know the true about their situation with Afghanistan and middle east countries.
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MCT:August 19, 2008I was a bit afraid to watch this movie as I'm no fan of either Julia Roberts or Tom Hanks. But it was intelligent, funny, insightful, and a very entertaining film. I loved it.
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MCT:August 16, 2008
Aaron Sorkin adapted the true events (from a book) that shape this story of a Texas Senator in the 70s and 80s whose involvement with the CIA in Afghanistan had a lasting effect on the way that part of the world is now, and our relations to it. Julia Roberts is a Southern belle, a socialite who claws her way into Wilson's world. And Philip Seymour Hoffman gives one of three terrific performances this year as a Greek-American CIA operative working with Wilson to bring a sense of geopolitical law and order to an unstable middle Eastern region (still unstable even now!). History and entertainment blend well in this short, bitter and cutting political comedy from Mike Nichols (PRIMARY COLORS, CLOSER).
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MCT:August 15, 2008
I could not believe that this was a true story. I thought it was funny and entertaining. If you need a history lesson that isn't boring, check this movie out.
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MCT:August 10, 2008Very nice indeed, quite very touched as well. I'm delighted that this story has been told to the world.
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MCT:August 10, 2008"Sometimes a movie can ride on the fact that it's got big and talented stars and a clever script and it works just fine. However in the case of Charlie Wilson's War that simply isn't enough, because the rest it has to offer feels muddled, confusing, and irritatingly restrained."
Full Review Here -
MCT:August 5, 2008
Took me a while to get around to watching this film, but in the end it was well worth it. Brilliant performances by Hanks and Hoffman. This film goes to show how the US with all our good intentions always manage to (in Wilson's words) "f*** up the endgame".
How can we spend a billion dollars for weapons in a covert war and not be willing to spend a million to rebuild schools?? Your guess is as good as mine. But, I think you will enjoy watching how the story unfolds. -
MCT:August 2, 2008
I'm not a huge fan of political films, they're usually kind of dry or they get my ire up. I've tried to avoid most of the Iraq war films, since it's still an open wound, and according to the box office, it seems most Americans feel the same way. But a film with the pedigree of Charlie Wilson's War, there was no way I could pass it up. The film is directed by an old master, Mike Nicholos; stars two of the biggest movie stars around, Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts, and is written by Alan (The West Wing) Sorkin, and they prove that they know how to put on a hell of a show. The film is funny, entertaining, quick moving and enlightening.
Based on a true story, although it's always tough to tell how much is based in reality and how much is for our entertainment,the film is about Charlie Wilson, a Texas congressman. Charlie spent most of his time in office abusing his power, partying with high rollers and such, which isn't too hard to believe. But when he sees Dan Rather reporting from Afghanistan, where they're warring with the Soviets, his motivation to help suddenly kicks in. Through a lot of political finagling, the help of a rich philanthropist and a CIA outsider, he manages to strike the first blow in the down fall of the Soviet Union. He does so by covertly supplying the Afghani's with advanced weapons and the training needed to operate them, so the battlefield is evened out.
The film has a lot of great Washington insider scenes, and you get a good feeling for how things really work. Hanks as "Good Time Charlie" Wilson, is impetuously likable, constantly surrounding himself with beautiful women, and when he takes to something he cares about, he goes at it full force. Julia Roberts has her best role in years as Joanne Herring, the Houston socialite, who uses her charm and vast amount of powerful contacts to help garner support for Wilson's cause. Philip Seymour Hoffman steals every scene he's in as the boozy, CIA operative Gust Avrakotos, his history of underground dealings help pave the way for all the deals that Wilson has to make along the way.
With a top-notch cast and a whip smart script, it seems like all of Nichols work was done for him. But he sets just the right tone throughout the film, knowing when make us laugh and how to sell the drama. And although the film takes place in the early 80's, it has a lot of significance towards today's politics, especially the middle eastern policies and what's happened since then. So many of these "message" films are full of self-importance and an unnecessarily long running times. Charlie Wilson's War moves along quickly and is a very easy film to like.
Originally posted on: What I Watched Last Night -
MCT:August 2, 2008
Considering this was made about a particularly unpleasant subject it well superbly done. The acting was just right and the performances were excellent.
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MCT:August 1, 2008Nichols forgets that it was the way congress supported and developed Taliban! If Catholic Church compromised with Nazis to destroy the red army, US did the same in Afghanistan when began helping radical refugees! Unbearable pretentious perfs from Hanks, Roberts and Hoffman when Nichols desperately tries to create a new savior figure like Schindler in a dumb story with dumber characters! It is as if you want to produce a saint out of Senator McCarthy!
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MCT:July 30, 2008
"...it's just been my experience that when people with money and too much free time get involved in politics, pretty soon, I forget who it is I'm supposed to be shooting at". With fascinating subject matter, this movie puts perspective on where we are, where we've been, and the "why's" in between. The screenplay is the real star of this movie, although Hank's and Hoffman's deliveries only contribute to this effect. The actual footage of the events addressed in this film adds an interesting touch, but not necessarily one that I cared for from a cinematic standpoint. It seemed as though the director was trying too hard to say to the audience, "see, this really happened". Still, that shouldn't tarnish the overall impact of this film, since this doesn't detract from telling a story which needs to be heard. And this film does this very cleverly, with some extremely effective "dry" comedy relief. This is another one of those "mandatory viewing" films for anyone who wants to be in the know about history, politics, or humanitarianism.
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MCT:July 30, 2008
Surprisingly entertaining. An obvious message about US obligations in Iraq, though the message was delivered rather abruptly and awkwardly at the very end.
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MCT:July 28, 2008
Other then Julia Roberts looking completley scary looking thought it was great. Philip Seymour Hoffman was perfect for the role and the quick wit made the movie fantastic where it potentially could have been a snore fest.
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MCT:July 28, 2008
Very good actually. At first wasn't all that interested from the previews but eventually was asked to watch it so...I did and was pleasently surprised.
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MCT:July 27, 2008
Lively and above-average political thriller about the machinations to covertly fund the mujahedeen in Afghanistan. An unlikely trio-- sleek, passionately anti-Commie Houston socialite, a burnt out CIA agent with wide ties, and the playboy Congressman with a heart of gold-- team up to save the Afghans from the predations of the Soviets. Ironically, written by The West Wing's Aaron Sorkin, who is often criticized for being a bleeding-heart liberal, but here endorses the anti-Soviet cause forthrightly.
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MCT:July 26, 2008
It kills me, the amount of reviews I've read for CWW from people complaining that this movie was too political and boring. Uh, der, that's what it's about and I'm sure you knew that before you watched it. Grow up and read a newspaper!
OK, done my mini-rant.
I, for one, really enjoyed this
Hanks, Hoffman, and yes, even Phinneas and Hazel's Mom, Miss Julia Roberts, gave great performances. All were both funny and engaging, and kept my attention the whole time.
Also, I always just smile when I see Amy Adams in a movie, even a supporting part. I just love her, even since Junebug.
Apparently not for everyone, but, trust me, a good film. -
MCT:July 22, 2008
This was incredibly well scripted. The dialogue was truly on fire, and it delivers a political point that is as complex as it is in your face with its simplicity. Devoid of usual pathos on war, very matter of fact. Not a great fan of Tom Hanks but he is doing fine work here especially in the scenes with Phillip Seymour-Hoffman. This is what movie-making is all about!!
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MCT:July 22, 2008
The road to hell is paved with good intentions. This good film illustrates the how every foreign policy decision reverberates for years and years down the road. In this true story a Texas congressman basically helps to form what is now the Taliban in Afghanistan. Phillip Seymour Hoffman kicks ass in his role as a jaded CIA operative.
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Comments
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pavacri23posted 85 days ago -
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USA is the biggest evil and Israel is the sun
they destroy Afghanistan,Iraq, and they killed the children
in Palestine (gaza) so this movie is like G.bosh ass have much chitposted 127 days ago -
December 2007 (Director: Mike Nichols) This is good movie making! Wonderful performance. Amazing performance by Philip Seymour Hoffman (Twister). I BELIEVED these characters & believed IN them. Ned Beatty stars as Defense Committee Chairman & Julia Roberts as a religious anti-communist lobbyist. Covert operations, good ol' boys & anti-communism.
Flixster - Share MoviesBased on a book by George Crile. The politics of defense, arms & cold war against Russia (aka Afghanistan support)
Flixster - Share Moviesposted 234 days ago
